I performed the best MK2 mod today...

[Tom B]

...and it was a clutch cable change!

I lived with it on my Cordy and I've lived with it on my Ibiza since July, but after finding out the potential damage it can cause, I decided to change it.

If your cable feels a bit stiff, change it straight away. Once you're done (it takes about an hour with a tea break in the middle) your car will be transformed. The car feels a lot smoother to drive and the responsiveness improves as it bites a lot smoother and faster. The old cable made it a nightmare in traffic whilst on a hill, this one makes them an absolute doddle.

Right, time for dinner!

 

[swales_p]

Have you got a idiots DIY guide so i can do the same m8?

Cheers.

 

[ibiza_95]

im going to have to agree... mine snapped but once changed it was so much lighter and smoother.
brilliant 'mod'

 

[jenk]

Mine definatly needs doing, i get some rite pains in my leg

Idiots guide would be great mate

 

[F2 Stu]

Only a matter of time before I do mine - Ive practically lost all fine control

 

[acidstrato]

another request for a guide, mine is pretty stiff

 

[ibiza_95]

is it a seat only part?

 

[Nath.]

It's that sharp bend in the cable above the pedal box and under the wiper linkage that makes it stiff

when I did my dads open air mk2 I rerouted it and made the bend in the cable a lot better

a few cable ties so that it can't get caught up in the wiper linkage and all was well for another 3 years until he part x'd it

well worth doing if the pedal feels a bit stiff

 

[Tom B]

Its pretty simple if you have a few big bars and lots of patience!

This is a quick guide from today. I would recommend you get a Haynes manual because I have missed something. I don't accept any responsibility if you break your car, use this at your own risk!

To remove:
1) The cable clips in at the top of the pedal - undo this. You'll need to remove the lower glovebox and supporting bar but these take about 2 minutes of your time.
2) The wipers need to come off, as do the scuttle panel and wiper panel. Get these removed and then you'll see the cable routing.
3) Pull the cable through into the engine bay. You should then have enough slack to loosen the cable at the fork and undo the rubber securing bung with a big bar.

To refit:
1) Start from the gearbox. Attach the cable and fit the rubber bung.
2) Route the cable back into the scuttle panel and then through the bulkhead into the car. Don't attach the cable to the securing brackets in the engine bay just yet.
3) Have a mate adjust the cable to you get enough slack to reattach the end to the pedal.
4) Reattach the cable to the securing brackets in the engine bay.
5) Refit the wiper and scuttle panels, refit your wipers, ensuring the bolts are torqued correctly.
6) Press the cable and gasp in amazement.

If the cable won't come undone from any end, make sure its the same cable as your new one, then cut it

I made an interesting discovery when taking off the scuttle panel - the wiper linkage had been rubbing on the engine wiring loom. It had worn through the tape holding the cables together, but luckily not the shrinkwrap! I'd predict that it would've worn through and set the car alight in the next month!

 

[ibiza_95]

whered you get the cable from?

 

[Tom B]

SEAT only. Pattern ones only exist for 1.4s as they're the same as the Polo. I've seen a few go through on eBay, check ETKA for your part number and get searching

 

[ibiza_95]

cool... cheers
my dad bought my last one from SEAT, but i think he paid an arm and a leg for it.
would like to do mine on my new car... might just feed it some WD-40 to loosen it up inside

 

[Tom B]

I'm sure mine was £34 including VAT, it might have been even less than that!

 

[ibiza_95]

... poor student and all....
thats an arm and a leg to me
lol

 

[chris285]

may look at getting mine changed then, as its become pretty stiff but i am used to it and wd40 no longer works on it

weird thing was i went away for a week and it loosened up

will have to get it fitted though due to lack of time and knowledge

 

[swales_p]

I think im going to have to join you on that one Chris.

How much do you think a garage would charge for a replacement + fitting?

Also, how did you oil the cable?

Cheers

 

[gregclarks]

So the full guide is in the haynes manual?

Just need the part number now...

Mine is uber stiff (cable that is)

 

[e5sta]

cheers Tom B and nathwarr - my clutch cable is on its way so thats really helpful thanks - glad i stumbled across this now!

 

[F2 Stu]

group-buy anyone?

 

[Tom B]

You probably could actually!

www.VAGParts.com might be able to help, they do a lot of business on my other home!